By looking at the sheer number of kids' Halloween costume queries in 2014 within Yahoo Search, we’ve come up with the 10 most popular costumes for your little trick or treaters. The list is a balance of classic characters from the memories of 1980s childhoods along with some new entries spawned by recent popular films and toy lines.

In this era of DIY television shows and magazines, it’s likely that many of you will be making homemade costumes for the kids. However, if you choose to purchase one you’ll be happy to know that the quality of Halloween costumes has greatly increased while prices are still relatively reasonable.

Here’s our countdown of the most searched kids' Halloween costumes on Yahoo search.

If you've never heard of them it's because Skylanders are a video game creation with no prior TV or movie appearance. Some of the characters – such as Spyro – have appeared in other video games.

Created by Activision, the characters include Tree Rex, Night Shift and Chop Chop, who is pictured here. Most costume sets do not include the shield or swords, so you'll have to search for Skylanders costume accessories separately.

Costumes inspired by these big-eyed dolls with sticks for limbs and arresting hair colors are available in a variety of Lalaloopsy characters. The costumes typically include a dress, and the character’s signature hairpiece, but if you want a cute pair of pink Mary Jane shoes, you'll have to buy those separately.

It’s hard to overstate the success of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie when you consider it’s based on a 1960s Marvel Comic book series that many comic book nerds barely remember. Costumes for boys and girls from this franchise feature a gun-toting raccoon and a living tree. Child's boots are not included, so you'll have to pick up a pair of black boots to make it look authentic.

Costumes from Angelina Jolie’s film about this classic Disney baddie can be worn by both mom and child. Mom can dress up as the Mistress of All Evil Maleficent and daughter can be the lovely Disney Princess Aurora in a beautiful, gilded gown.

The appeal of robots that turn into cars (or dinosaurs, or cassette players, or guns) is apparently unstoppable. Had Yahoo Search existed in the 1980s, these costumes would have probably been on the list back then. Optimus Prime (shown left) and Bumblebee dominate the searches as two of the most popular characters in the franchise. For kids feeling the Decepticon vibe, Megatron costumes are available.

Coming off the success of what many believe to be one of the best superhero films of all time (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), the Captain America costume stands out for individual searches among superhero costumes. If you’re wondering why Spider-Man didn’t beat him – or even made this list – go watch the abysmal Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie.

Also popular in this category are the ever popular X-Men, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

These “heroes in a half shell” join Transformers as characters from the 1980s making our list of top costumes. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles began as a comic book series and have slashed their way into cartoons, video games, toys and a 2014 Hollywood blockbuster. Featuring the characters Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Shredder and Splinter.

For kids who believe Halloween is about being scary, there’s Monster High. These girl characters – such as Frankie Stein and Spectra Vondergeist are the most popular. Although many adults aren’t familiar with them, these horror-themed fashion doll characters can be found in the toy department, on TV and direct to TV movies.

In 2016, they will make their big screen debut in a film to be released in time for Halloween.

Kids today have it easy. When the Star Wars films were originally released, the best costume you could get was basically a plastic blouse with a picture of Darth Vader on the front. Today, characters from all six films are represented in some pretty impressive costumes with convincing accessories. Star Wars is always popular, but the anticipation for JJ Abrams’ upcoming film (Episode VII) puts Star Wars on the top of our list.

Do you want to build a snowman? Depending on where you live, that might be possible on Halloween. However, if you simply want to dress up as the snowman, Olaf, from this insanely popular Disney movie, then you’re not alone. The movie is populated with characters that appeal to boys and girls, but chances are you’re going to see plenty of Elsa and Anna on Halloween night.